The priest at the funeral of murdered Gareth Hutch has called for peace in the ongoing bloody gangland feud.

Mr Hutch, 35, was shot dead on May 24 outside his home in the Avondale Flat complex, on North Cumberland Street.

He was the seventh man to lose his life in the ongoing Kinahan-Hutch gang war.

And addressing heartbroken family members, Fr Paddy Madden told how Mr Hutch's "primary concern" was the safety of his young son Preston.

He said: “My earnest prayer today is that we can begin to seek peace and not disaster and for a hope -filled future.

"I realise the necessity, indeed the urgency of praying for peace and healing.

"We have here parents mourning their child, a painful reality, numbed by grief and sadness. A mother - who cherished her son and first loved him in the human order and a wider family bidding farewell: a father - who was called to receive news of his son’s shooting - chilling news no one wants to receive. Fear, pain, grief, anguish, bewilderment are experienced by the family.

"Every tragedy has a human face. Beyond analysis, comment and speculation we have pain and tears.

"Life is precious, Gareth’s primary concern was for the safety, wellbeing, care and protection of his son, Preston.

"Breaking the cycle of violence is not easy. It needs courage, restraint, goodwill and right reason: and a desire for peace.

"We pray that those who may find thoughts of peace or possibility of working for peace difficult or impossible, that they may discover in the bonds of friendship, strength and support to overcome negative feelings.

"I know that the desire for peace is the springboard to a better future."